Product display with front barrier

ABSTRACT

A standardized or basic product display device is provided with a standard front barrier for identifying and restraining a spring-urged column of displayed products in conjunction with a plurality of secondary barrier elements which can be easily and securely mounted onto the primary barrier to accommodate reconfiguration and enlargement of the display device. The secondary elements have lower portions of inverted U-shaped configuration which can be selectively applied over external edge margins of the primary barrier and secured thereto by locking detents. The secondary barrier element enables the front barrier of the display device to be enlarged, both in width and height to accommodate larger product packages than contemplated for the standard display device in its minimum configuration. In one form, the secondary barrier element has a vertical extension of narrow width, providing effective restraint of tall packages while maximizing visibility of the front of the package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the store display of small product items, it is a common practice toprovide display trays arranged to receive a plurality of product itemsin a front-to-back column, with a spring-actuated pusher paddle at theback of the column arranged to automatically move the column forwardeach time a product is removed from the front of the display. This makesfor a more sales-attractive display, by keeping the merchandise alwaysavailable at the front of the display where it is easily seen and easilyremoved.

In a typical supermarket or other large store, the products to bedisplayed come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. While many suchproducts are displayed on hooks, extending outwardly from perforatedpanels, products are more efficiently or more effectively displayed andsold from trays of the type mentioned above. The accommodation ofdifferent sizes, shapes and package types in these display traysrequires trays of a wide variety of configurations, which can lead tothe need of a storekeeper to maintain a large inventory of trays ofdifferent sizes, shapes, etc. to accommodate the various packaging. Thisis undesirable both from an investment standpoint and also because ofthe requirement for handling, storing, changing and installing thevarious forms of trays as the product mix changes. There thus has been along-felt need in the trade for product display trays that areadjustable and convertible, such that a single, or a limited number of,basic tray structures can be adjusted and/or modified to accept a widespectrum of package sizes and shapes.

One advantageous form of adjustable product display tray is representedby U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,745,906, 6,866,155, 6,886,700, 6,889,855 and7,032,761, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference. These patents are owned by Trion Industries, Inc., assigneeof the present invention.

In the patented trays referred to above, among other features,advantageous arrangements are provided for easily changing the effectivewidth of the trays, in order to accommodate packages of differentwidths. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,700, the spring-actuated pusher device,is arranged to removably receive an attachment providing greater heightand/or width to the pusher paddle contacting the product column. Thisprovides better control over the product column when displaying productssignificantly larger in width or height than contemplated for the“standard” tray device.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a “standard” display tray of the type referred to in the abovementioned patents, there is frequently provided a front barrier panel,which is joined in normally fixed arrangement with a front base memberof the tray. The barrier panel serves the purpose of providing a frontstop for the forwardly urged column of packages, and also provides aforwardly facing surface for product information and pricing. Ingeneral, the front barrier panel is of a width appropriate for thedisplay tray when set at its minimum width configuration, and is of aheight suitable for relatively smaller sized packages likely to bedisplayed in the tray. The height and width of the standard frontbarrier panel may thus be less than optimum for product packages whichare larger in height and/or width than the relatively minimum-sizedpackages. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, secondarybarrier elements are provided, which can be securely mounted on thestandard front barrier panel, enlarging it both in width and height toaccommodate larger sized packages without requiring the merchandiser tochange to a larger-sized tray assembly. To this end, the primary barrierpanel advantageously is of generally flat form with exposed side and topedges for reception of the secondary barrier elements.

In one embodiment, a secondary barrier is provided which is of generallyinverted U-shaped configuration and is provided along its inside edgeswith spaced apart flange elements forming a groove for the reception ofedge margins of the primary barrier panel. When the display tray is tobe set up for the handling of larger/wider product packages, and theadjustable side guides thereof are set to a wider-than-minimumconfiguration, the standard primary barrier panel can be augmented bythe mounting thereon of the secondary barrier element, to increase boththe width and the height of the front barrier.

In one advantageous form of the secondary barrier element, a reinforcingpanel extends downward a distance from the horizontal upper portions ofthe barrier element. This panel desirably is positioned so as to slideclosely behind upper portions of the back surface of the primarybarrier, when the secondary barrier element is installed, and serves torigidify the secondary barrier element as well as the combined parts.

Preferably, the secondary barrier element and the primary barrier panelare provided with interengaging locking detent elements such that, whenthe secondary barrier element is installed, it is unlikely to be removedor dislodged accidentally.

To advantage, the configuration of the secondary barrier element is suchthat it engages with the primary barrier only along edge margins of thebarrier panel. This leaves the majority of the front surface area of thebarrier panel exposed for the display of product information and/orpricing. Typically, the panel-engaging flanges of the secondary barrierelement will be continuous. However, the continuity of the flanges maybe interrupted, if desired, as long as there is adequate contact betweenthe primary and secondary elements to assure a connection of adequatestrength when a secondary barrier element is installed.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, provision may be made forconfinement of tall packages. In this embodiment of the invention, thesecondary barrier element is provided with a vertical extension toretain taller packages in the proper display orientation. Desirably, thevertical projection can be relatively narrow as compared to the widthsetting of the display tray, so as to leave most of the front surface ofthe front package exposed and visible to the customer. To particularadvantage, the vertical extension may also be substantially offset fromthe center of the barrier panel assembly, and desirably is located atone side edge thereof.

In any of its forms, the front barrier arrangement of the inventionprovides for a high level of flexibility to the storekeeper to optimizethe configuration of display trays to suit the requirements of packagesizes and configurations, by enabling basic tray units to be easily andquickly adapted and reconfigured for various packages. The arrangementenables the storekeeper to maintain an inventory of adaptor parts,rather than an extensive inventory of the complete tray assemblies.

For a more complete understanding of the above and other features andadvantages of the invention, reference should be made to the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, and to theaccompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a form of display tray providedwith a spring-actuated pusher arrangement and a form of front barrier,configured in its minimum size.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a front barrier panel asincorporated in the display tray of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a secondary barrier elementdesigned for assembly with the barrier panel of FIG. 2, to provide anenlarged front barrier structure of greater height and width than thepanel of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the secondary barrier element ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the barrier element of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view as taken generally on line 6-6 of FIG.3.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a display tray of the type shownin FIG. 1, modified for packages of greater width and provided with afront barrier assembly incorporating the secondary barrier element ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a modified form of secondarybarrier element provided with a vertical extension for managing packagesof greater than normal height.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the barrier element of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view as taken generally on line 10-10 ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the alternative form of barrier elementof FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a display tray of the generaltype shown in FIG. 1, modified to receive packages of greater width andheight and incorporating a secondary barrier element of the type shownin FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-7 thereof, FIG. 1illustrates an advantageous form of display tray of the general typedescribed in the before mentioned U.S. patents and elements which formthe subject matter of our copending U.S. application Ser. No.12/354,398, filed Jan. 15, 2009, which is incorporated herein byreference. The basic tray comprises a base structure (not specificallyillustrated), which can be of the general type shown in the Nagel U.S.Pat. No. 6,866,700 referred to above, advantageously consisting of aplurality of longitudinally extending wires mounted by front and backbase members, of which a portion of the front base member 10 isillustrated in FIG. 1. A pusher element 11, which is urged forwardly bythe action of a coil spring (not shown), is slideably mounted on thebase structure. Side guides 12, 13 which may be formed of plates, asshown, wire, or other suitable material, are adjustably mounted in thebase members for lateral adjustment to increase or decrease theeffective width of the display unit.

At the front of the display unit is a barrier panel 14 advantageously inthe form of a flat, sheet-like element of plastic material. As set forthin the Nagel U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,761, the forward base member 10 isformed with a plurality of spaced-apart forward projections 15 which aregrooved to receive downwardly projecting mounting tabs 16 of the barrierpanel 14. The tabs 16 are provided with retention keys 17 which, whenthe barrier panel is assembled with the front base member 10, lock thepanel in assembled relation, desirably requiring a special tool for itsremoval.

Preferably, the back surface of the barrier panel 14 is provided,adjacent its side edges, with vertically oriented tubular sockets 18which are arranged to receive upturned ends 19 of an outermost pair ofwires 20 forming part of the base structure. This reinforces the panelagainst forces applied forwardly or rearwardly to upper portions of thepanel.

FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a standardized display tray in aminimum configuration with its side plates 12, 13 spaced apart a minimumdistance, and the tray otherwise configured for relatively smallpackages. When the tray is to be configured for larger packages, theside plates 12, 13 are moved outwardly an appropriate distance toaccommodate the increased package width.

In accordance with the invention, when the tray is configured for largerpackages, a secondary barrier element 21 (FIG. 3) is arranged to bemounted on the primary barrier panel 14, to increase both the size andwidth of the panel structure. The secondary barrier element 21 is ofgenerally inverted U-shaped configuration, comprised of spaced apartside elements 22, 23 and a horizontally disposed upper element 24integrally joined with the side elements 22, 23.

As reflected in FIGS. 3-6, the inner edges of the secondary barrierelement are provided with a groove 25, formed by spaced apart front andback flanges 26, 27 respectively. Typically, the primary barrier panel14 will be in the form of a flat panel. In any event, at least edgemargins of the panel 14 are of a uniform dimension, to be closelyreceived within the groove 25 and closely confined by the flanges 26,27. In the illustrated arrangement, the flanges 26, 27 are continuousabout the side and upper elements of the secondary barrier 21. However,if desired, the flanges may be discontinuous, as long as they adequatelygrip and confine the panel 14.

When a display tray is in a widened configuration, as shown in FIG. 7,the secondary barrier element 21 can be applied over the primary barrier14 to increase both the height and width of the barrier assembly.Desirably, when the secondary barrier element is installed, most of thefront face of the barrier panel 14 remains unobstructed so that anyinformation provided thereon is still visible to the customer.

To advantage, the side elements 22, 23 of the secondary barrier areprovided with locking detents 28 (FIG. 3). In the illustratedarrangement, these detents are formed on both of the flanges 26, 27.

A strengthening and reinforcing panel 29 desirably extends across theupper portion of the secondary barrier element 24, between the sideelements 22, 23 thereof. In the illustrated arrangement, the panel 29extends from the rear flange 27. Thus, when the secondary element 24 isinstalled, the panel 29 slides downward along the back face of theprimary panel 14.

The locking detents 28, which extend from the back flange 27, arepositioned to engage the bottoms of the tubular sockets 18 to lock thesecondary element 24 in installed position against accidentaldislodgement or removal.

If desired, locking elements (not shown) may be provided on the front ofthe primary panel 14, for engagement with the front set of lockingdetents 28.

The secondary barrier element 24 allows the front barrier structure ofthe display to be quickly reconfigured, when the width of the tray isincreased providing for a neater appearing display with better controlof the products displayed.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8-12. Inthe alternative embodiment, the secondary barrier element 30 iscomprised of a lower portion which can be generally identical inconstruction to the secondary barrier element 21 shown in FIGS. 3-6. Thebarrier element 30, however, includes a vertical extension 31, whichsignificantly extends the effective height of the secondary barrierelement. The extension 31 can be molded with the remaining portions ofthe barrier element 30 and forms an integral part thereof.

Desirably, the vertical extension 31 is of substantially less width thanthe overall width of the element 30 so as to maximize the visibility tothe customer of packages in a column behind the barrier element.Additionally, the vertical extension preferably can be located at oneside edge of the barrier element 30 to provide better continuity of thevisible portions of the packages behind the barrier. For extra strength,the lowermost portion 32 of the vertical extension may extend partly orcompletely across the top of the upper element 33 thereof for addedstrength.

As shown particularly in FIG. 11, the barrier element 30 has front andback flanges 26, 27 and a reinforcing panel 29, in the same manner asthe first described embodiment of the invention. In addition, lockingdetents 28 are provided to make the assembly of the primary barrierpanel 14 and the secondary barrier element 30 secure against unintendedseparation. The side elements 34, 35 of the barrier element 30advantageously are notched out at 36 to accommodate the presence of theforward base member 10 at the front of the base structure. In a similarmanner, the secondary barrier element 24 of the first embodiment can benotched out at 37 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

As can be appreciated from the heretofore described embodiments, thesecondary barrier element may take a number of forms and sizes to suitparticular requirements. Indeed, individual forms and styles ofsecondary barrier elements may be tailored to particular products andpackage styles to optimize display effectiveness.

By enabling a standard barrier panel to be efficiently and effectivelymodified by an easily mountable, attractive appearing secondary barrierelement, the options made available to the storekeeper, with a minimuminventory requirement for display equipment are greatly enlarged. To thegreatest extent practicable, the storekeeper can maintain an inventoryof standard, basic display units, together with optimizing attachmentsthat can be installed to enable the basic display device to be enlargedand reconfigured for various forms and sizes of packaging.

It should be understood, of course, that the specific forms of theinvention herein illustrated and described are intended to berepresentative only, as certain changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly,reference should be made to the following appended claims in determiningthe full scope of the invention.

1. A product display device comprising a base structure for supporting aplurality of products, a spring actuated pusher mounted on said basestructure for urging products toward the front, product confining sideguides mounted on opposite sides of said base structure for lateraladjustment with respect thereto, and a front barrier mounted at thefront of said base structure and extending upward above a productsupport plane defined by said base structure, wherein said front barriercomprises (a) an upwardly extending primary barrier panel fixed to saidbase structure at a forward end thereof, said primary barrier panelbeing of generally flat plate-like construction having front and backsurfaces and side and top edges, (b) said primary barrier panel having awidth dimension not greater than a width of said side guides when saidside guides are set in a minimum width configuration, (c) a secondarybarrier element removably mounted on said primary barrier panel, (d)lower portions of said secondary barrier element being of a generallyinverted U-shaped configuration and comprising spaced apart barrier sideelements and a horizontally disposed upper barrier element integral withand connecting upper portions of said side elements, and (e) saidsecondary barrier element having a means for closely embracingperipheral areas of the top and side margins of said primary barrierpanel to grip and confine said primary barrier panel on front and backsurface areas thereof.
 2. A product display device according to claim 1,wherein (a) detent means are provided on said side elements engageablewith elements of said primary barrier panel for releasable retention ofsaid secondary barrier element on said primary barrier panel.
 3. Aproduct display device comprising a base structure for supporting aplurality of products, a spring actuated pusher mounted on said basestructure for urging products toward the front, product confining sideguides mounted on opposite sides of said base structure for lateraladjustment with respect thereto, and a front barrier mounted at thefront of said base structure and extending upward above a productsupport plane defined by said base structure, wherein said front barriercomprises (a) a primary barrier panel fixed to said base structure at aforward end thereof, said primary barrier panel being of generally flatplate-like construction having front and back surfaces and side and topedges, (b) said primary barrier panel having a width dimension notgreater than a width of said side guides when said side guides are setin a minimum width configuration, (c) a secondary barrier elementremovably mounted on said primary barrier panel, (d) lower portions ofsaid secondary barrier element being of a generally inverted U-shapedconfiguration and comprising spaced apart barrier side elements and ahorizontally disposed upper barrier element integral with and connectingupper portions of said side elements, (e) said secondary barrier sideelements having elements closely embracing peripheral areas of saidprimary barrier panel on front and back surface areas thereof, and (f)said secondary barrier element comprises a groove formed along insideedges of said side and upper elements for reception and confinement ofperipheral side and top edge margins of said primary barrier panel.
 4. Aproduct display device according to claim 3, wherein (a) said secondarybarrier element comprises a reinforcing panel extending downward fromthe upper element thereof adjacent upper portions of the back surface ofsaid primary barrier panel.
 5. A product display device comprising abase structure for supporting a plurality of products, a spring actuatedpusher mounted on said base structure for urging products toward thefront, product confining side guides mounted on opposite sides of saidbase structure for lateral adjustment with respect thereto, and a frontbarrier mounted at the front of said base structure and extending upwardabove a product support plane defined by said base structure, whereinsaid front barrier comprises (a) a primary barrier panel fixed to saidbase structure at a forward end thereof, said primary barrier panelbeing of generally flat plate-like construction having front and backsurfaces and side and top edges, (b) said primary barrier panel having awidth dimension not greater than a width of said side guides when saidside guides are set in a minimum width configuration, (c) a secondarybarrier element removably mounted on said primary barrier panel, (d)lower portions of said secondary barrier element being of a generallyinverted U-shaped configuration and comprising spaced apart barrier sideelements and a horizontally disposed upper barrier element integral withand connecting upper portions of said side elements, (e) said secondarybarrier side elements having elements closely embracing peripheral areasof said primary barrier panel on front and back surface areas thereof,(f) detent means are provided on said side elements engageable withelements of said primary barrier panel for releasable retention of saidsecondary barrier element on said primary barrier panel, and (g)projecting elements on a surface of the primary barrier panel, adjacentto the side edges of the primary barrier panel, (h) said detent meanscomprising projections extending laterally inward from said secondarybarrier side element and positioned to be releasably engageable with theprojecting elements of said primary barrier panel.
 6. A product displaydevice according to claim 5, wherein (a) said projecting elements ofsaid primary barrier panel comprise vertically oriented tubularprotrusions on the back surface of said primary barrier panel engagedwith upturned wire elements forming a part of said base structure.
 7. Aproduct display device according to claim 1, wherein (a) said secondarybarrier element includes a package retainer element extending upwardfrom said upper barrier element for restraining tall packages beingurged forwardly by said pusher, and (b) said package retainer elementhas a width substantially less than a combined width of said primarybarrier panel and said secondary barrier element.
 8. A product displaydevice according to claim 7, wherein (a) said package retainer elementis offset substantially from a centerline of said display device.
 9. Aproduct display device according to claim 8, wherein (a) said packageretainer element is substantially aligned with one side edge of saidsecondary barrier element.